Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will be on the bench for the manager's final game in charge of the Red Devils. Sir Alex's final weekly press conference started with a presentation from the press, where he received a bottle of wine and a cake.

And speaking about his often tumultous time with the media, the 71-year-old explained his feelings and actions over the years."I think dealing with the modern media has been difficult for the managers and I've been lucky that I have integrated into all the different stages of my time here," he said.

"It got me into a position where I didn't accept what you wrote, and when you did say nice things I tended to dismiss it also.

"I've always thought you've had a difficult job with the pressure you are under with modern television, internet, facebook and all the rest of the nonsense.

"But I've never held grudges. All the times I've banned you I've never held grudges against anyone, because I don't think it's my style. I react and then forget about it sometime later.

"Thanks for the kind words, it was very good of you, and thanks for the fantastic time I've had here, even sometimes with the press too."

Ahead of the game against the Baggies, Sir Alex is keen to give his young players a chance in the first team.

"So, my last game. God. 1500 matches, quite incredible. It couldn't be more difficult, I think West Brom have done fantastic. They're a good, strong side and everybody wants to win their last home game, I think that's a fact of life. Obviously we'll want to win this one, more than last week even.

"I don't have any injury problems. I'll make a few changes, I think one or two young players should play. At the time we realised we won the league, I said to Anders, because at that time I thought you needed 10 appearances to get a medal, 'You will definitely play two games to get your medals', but that's changed but I still stand by my word and he will be in goal.

"I don't have Rafael so I will have to make a decision about that. I want to play Jones and Evans at centre-back to see how they do, because they could be the future. Vida and Ferdinand will have to make do with a place on the bench!"

The 71-year-old also reflected on the past week, which saw him say goodbye to Old Trafford on Sunday and then lead the open top bus parade around Manchester a day later.

"Sunday was quite amazing, it was unbelievable," he added. "And the parade on Monday, I thought that 99 could not be beaten. When we turned on to Deansgate in 99 and it was all mobbed, but this time we turned in and it was all that scaffolding and it was incredible. I think it was better than 99, I really do.

"Albert Square was fantastic, with the band playing there. It was really great. I went home that night and had 10 hours' sleep. I think it was the first time in my life I've had 10 hours' sleep. Cathy kept coming up, I could sense she was round about me and I think she was checking that I was alive. It was marvellous, tremendous."